When using the Animation Tool, you can leave the menu open, choose another part, then simply click on "Update Set" to reset the Animation Tool for your next part.

This way you don't have to close and reopen the Animation Tool dialog for every part...  

Except for the "Opacity Level", the entries in "Blinn Basic Properties" really do not need to be used. That's what all the new options below it are for. In fact, setting them can cause some of the "oddities" you noticed (such as Fresnel ramp killing reflections, et cetera).

Hey John,

That is alot of work there that you have done!  Nice!


Converting a FS9 plane requires the following;
*  Open FS9 model in FSX Gmax
*  Click the GUID manager and give it a new GUID.
*  Assign all animated parts with 'FSX animation tags' from the Animation Manager.
*  Any parts with effects or visual effects, such as a spinning prop or tire or nav light, you simply open up Attach Effect Tool, locate the part in the list, (such as prop0_blurred) and click 'add to objects geometry'.  
*  Then animate all 'unanimated' parts, such as tires, props, ailerons, rudder, etc.  Animate them as key animations.  (Gmaxxers know how that is done).
*  Next, create the FSX materials.  Click on Material Editor, click New, select FSX Material, then from the Materials library, drag over your previous bitmap and lightmap if you have one, then set the materials per the SDK and or my settings.  Apply to former FS9 materalial assigned parts.  

Done.  

Export a 'exterior' model, then export a 'interior' model (export two seperate models).  
Set up your model.config for the names of the two models, (BD5.MDL and BD5_Interior.MDL), then save, drop in new MDL files.

Boot up FSX and check your work.

Export times are massively reduced and range from 10 to 30 seconds compared with 20 min's on FS9 model compile times, so checking models in FSX is quite fast now.

Getting a plane to Gmax is actually not difficult at all.  I can see making planes in FS9, then making a conversion of it for FSX and doing it in quick order.  When you have your materials already created, the only hard part is going to be the XML code for your custom animations, since its different from the older FS9 code.

Not much more.  You will need to do a bump map, but doesnt have to have all rivets and such if you are going to have photo real textures.  (Just do a few bits like the wheel hubs.  The bump map is necessary for various material effects to occur).  I include a basic bump-map tutorial in the download.

Also, I have uploaded the second version of the tutorial, adding some other materials and tutorial sub-sections, (such as how to make nav lights).  The aircraft is also improved, (both flight model in FSX, and the Gmax model).  Same link and file name.

Bill

lionheart wrote on 21^st Nov, 2007 at 3:10pm:


On a "basic" tutorial, show it being done the "long" way, with a "timesaver" sidebar.

Hey John,

Sorry, I didnt see this post.

You want 'one' model as your file, such as Exterior.

If you are inventive enough, you will only need to focus on 'one' main file and create a derivative as the 'VC' or 'interior' model from it.  For instance, you can name a Hierarchy node 'AAA Interior Parts', and then have the parts associated with the VC model in that folder that wont go in the 'exterior' model.  Then hide that node of parts when you burn a 'exterior' model.  (Vice versa with exterior node parts).  This way, all are in one file family, so you dont have a branch of odd variations start to occurr.  Just remember to select/deselect various parts nodes and hide what needs to be hidden, then 'Export Selected'.

Think of the parts list as your 'check list'.  Having nodes start with AAA will also place them at the top, so you can scan over the parts lists and more easily find what you need for your model burn.  (Like a shopping list).


Bill

As I told you ,Kat ,"ask" ,"Investigate" and put a lot of mind into it, and this is the right place to learn FSX,Good people Good will, great experts,

This site has always being my school...


Alex

Hey guys, when I clicked on the link I received a 404 error, I looked else where for the link and could not find it, does it not exist anymore? Thanks